The country has elected a new leader. The options to select from were not good to begin with. It’s head or tail of the same coin. The same script, just a new Aunt Viv trying to make us believe that everything will improve now that they’re on the set. The entire year has been history in the making and this election is part of history in the making. We have a new cast now. A new cast making promises to Black America. They speak of a contract with Black America even though the original contracts have outstanding promises that have not been kept. Where are those deliveries? The promises that were delivered did not come without a fight and lives lost. We are still fighting and losing lives on the original promises.
Many African-Americans believe their vote doesn’t matter. If black votes did not matter, society would not try to take it from us. Politicians would not pander to our feelings in order to gain our vote if black votes did not matter. If our votes didn’t matter, there would not have been a fight for them. Governments wouldn’t have taken them and reinstated them if our votes didn’t matter. Black voters were intimidated, pepper-sprayed, protested against and had to walk past armed militias to cast their vote. Black voter ballots were rejected at higher rates. Don’t be fooled, black votes matter.
Now is not the time to be passive. African-Americans must continue to vote at the local level. If you are sick of empty promises and local policies which harm black communities, you must vote locally. Vote locally to prevent bad politicians from gaining office. If they’re in office now, vote them out in upcoming elections. Attend city council meetings available to the public. Go to your local court and watch your District Attorney and elected judges in action. Watch the policies and laws your local politicians try to put in place which affects our communities and daily lives. Continue the push and vote local in every election.